Fun through Participation...Wing Ding is here and, Lori and I are looking forward to joining in all of the fun that is planned for this year's event. We have a long list of events we will be attending and look forward to "meeting and greeting" as many participants as possible. We are very approachable, so don't hesitate to come forward and say "hi."

We will have our bike and are looking forward to participating in as many events as possible. We will be honored to lead this year's Grand Parade, and if time permits, we would love to play in the "Two Up" Top Gun competition. There are many volunteers that will be putting on many events during Wing Ding.

Show your appreciation for all of their hard work by participating in as many events as you can.

As with all things in GWRRA, all we can do is provide the opportunity for fun. It is up to you to participate and enjoy the fun. So, whether it is at Wing Ding or one of your Chapter events, participation is the key to having fun.

1-Who was Donnabelle Mullenger and where was she born? (Hint, she started her acting career at age 16.)

2-Who was the 31st President of the United States and where was he born?

(Answers to be found in the coupon block below.)

GW Pin & Patch

Retirement

As manager of GW Pin & Patch the last 2 years, I have had the privilege of serving many of the GWRRA membership with special event pins, patches and other promotional items.

The biggest reward to me has not been the sale of a product but the relationships developed in the process. It is at this time of my life when acquaintances, even though with email communication, become very important to me. To be in the position where people come to me for help, support and service and be able to provide it, is very rewarding.

With that said, I am at that same point in life where I want to give back to my family and community and have decided to retire in order to accomplish the many personal goals I have and even some new ones that I may not be aware of.

Effective July 8, 2010 I will be retiring from GW Pin & Patch. Mr John Cracchiolo will be assuming my responsibilities to provide "Custom" Pins, Patches and other promotional items for you.

Many of you know John. He has been taking care of your "Official" GWRRA Pin & Patch orders plus official product orders in Wing World. John has over 10 years with GWRRA and will continue to support you with the great service you have become accustom to.

It is time to update your Gold Book listing. Remember to make sure you have a current phone number listed on your Member listing, as well as the correct listing you wish to show in the Gold Book. (i.e., tools, phone calls, etc.) Also, remember if you select "Do not list me in the Gold Book" as one of your selections, you will NOT show up in the Gold Book!

911 Addresses

For those Members who live in rural areas, please update Member Services with your new 911 addresses as they become available to you. We understand that they are going from Rural Route addresses to this new system of 911 addresses. Please contact GWRRA with your new address.

Message Boards

Sign In Help:

There seems to be a bit of confusion with the new Message Boards, so hopefully this information will be helpful.

The new website is www.gwrrabbs.orgA pop-up box will come up when you get there stating:

User name is your GWRRA Membership number (zero's included)

Password is the numbers in your address and the expiration date of your membership (in most cases) (If you are Life Members, it will be your address and then the word life ex. 1234life.)

Once you are in the Message Boards, if this is your first time, you need to go up to the right-hand corner and press "REGISTER". There you will fill out the information asked and create your own user name and password. Keep in mind the user name you choose can't be changed and it is what everyone will see on the Boards when you are logged in, so choose carefully.

Once you have registered, you will receive an email with your information. Please save this for future reference.

You may be asked to login each time you go to the Board. The first set of logins will confirm your membership, the second logins will be what you created.

If you still have any questions on this process, please give us a call. It is easier to walk you through it over the phone 800-843-9460.

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New Member Benefit

For those Memberswho may be traveling to Phoenix for pleasure or business, GWRRA has negotiated a special rate for our Members at the Four Points by Sheraton in North Phoenix.

The property has Standard rooms, Cabanas and Executive Suites. The rates for GWRRA Members start at $59 from June through September 6, 2010 and then $79 starting September 7 through the end of this year. (Rates do not include taxes.)

Call 800-627-7166 and mention "Gold Wing Road Riders" to get the special rate and more information.

Greetings!

It's that time of year when most folks are planning their rides, vacations or just looking forward to getting out on their bikes to get away from their hectic schedules. It seems to me, life has gotten so much more complicated since the times when I was raising my family. (Unless you are among the fortunate ones who are already retired...)

Now, with the "recession", the oil crisis in the Gulf of Mexico, crazy weather everywhere and governments doing who knows what...it's no wonder everyone is "stressed!" I, for one, am so grateful for GWRRA and the fact that we have the biggest family of friends to help keep us sane. Plus, riding the best motorcycles ever built doesn't hurt either...!

Our Association is the place to meet for those long or short rides, learn about the bike, how to ride it safely and maybe even become an instructor to teach these skills...right? Or, maybe it is time to step up and show your leadership and become an Officer. And, certainly, GWRRA is a place to find the friends we all need in these stressful times just to balance our lives and really enjoy life! I know for me, I have met lifetime friends through GWRRA. I hope you have also.

To change the subject a little, you will notice a few minor changes in the Wingin' It this month. We are now accepting paid advertising in limited quantities. As with all advertising, its purpose is two-fold; to help our advertisers with exposure and to help keep GWRRA membership dues low. As I mentioned last month, GWRRA has not seen an increase in its dues since 1999, and we want to keep it that way!

In addition, we have added a few Member Benefit Discount Programs, with many more to come next month. This month we are pleased to announce the addition of a new GWRRA Visa Credit Card Program. Some of the features are a competitive interest rate with no annual fee, rewards and your choice of three GWRRA card designs. See the logo below to apply for your GWRRA Visa card today or click here.

GWRRA is also excited to add to our Member Benefit Discount Program the GWRRA Wireless Center for huge savings on phones and accessories. Up to $100 on selected phones, many phones free and exclusive rebates put cash back into your pocket! Shop and compare from a vast selection of carriers and products. You'll get the same great rate from the carrier you choose, plus a better phone at a better price at www.GWRRAwireless.com

And for those who may need a Prescription Drug Program, here is your FREE GWWRA Prescription Savings Card. Download your FREE card now and start saving today! Members can save up to 55% on prescription drugs with your FREE GWRRA Prescription Savings Card. No fees and it never expires. Accepted at over 59,000 pharmacies. One card covers your entire family including pets. Click here!

We are also looking for more input from you, our Members, for stories, travelogs, Chapter, Member and Officer profiles, plus jokes, and great Gold Book stories! I have prepared an information sheet on what we are looking for, so just email me, and I will be happy to send it to you. Please send me your feedback, so we can continue to make Wingin' It a truly Members' e-Newsletter and a great Member benefit that comes to you free each month. Please e-mail me your input here.

Have a safe riding season,

Ed Price

Marketing Director, GWRRA

"Friends for FUN, Safety & Knowledge"

Inspirational Quote

"A friend is someone who knows all about you and loves you just the same."

~ Proverb

Where Do I Fly My U.S. Flag

Submitted by Gene Knutson,

GWRRA Rider Education Director

With the approach of the 4th of July, many have asked, "What is the proper way to display the American Flag on our bikes?"

When the U.S. Flag is flown alone, it should be at the "center" on the rear of the motorcycle, or its "marching right". The "marching right" is on the right side of the motorcycle to the rider's perspective when facing forward.

If the U.S. Flag is on your bike with another, it should be to its "marching right". This means displaying the flag with no other to its right.

If displayed with multiple flags, the U.S. Flag should be centered and highest. The other flags should be arranged in alphabetical order and in decreasing importance. i.e. Nations first, states (in order of admittance) and territories second, military third (in order of establishment) and then any other flag.

(If you have any questions about flag positioning, please e-mail Gene here)

Joke of the Month

Two blondes were going to Disneyland. They were driving on the Interstate when they saw the sign that said...

I thought that all people who rode a motorcycle were rough, long-haired, tattooed, and leather-clad persons who rode a loud motorcycle, too fast. You can imagine how I reacted when my husband brought a 1982, 1100 Honda (with lots of chrome) home! No way was he going to park that "thing" in MY garage. What did he know about riding a motorcycle anyway?

Well, he tried very hard to convince me that I would be safe riding behind him on his new Honda, and there was a group of "normal" people who he knew that I would have fun being with. I finally gave in and rode with him thirty miles to a GWRRA Chapter Gathering.

I felt very uncomfortable (I just knew that they thought "I" was different!). However, I noticed that the Safety Educator spoke on how the Members rode safely, wore helmets, and took safety courses. The Chapter Director talked about all the fun they had, and I "kinda" admitted to my husband that maybe I wouldn't mind getting involved just "a little" in GWRRA.

And, involved I did get! As the Chapter's first Public Relations Coordinator, I was handed the GWRRA Guide Book and read it from cover to cover. (I wanted to know all about what GWRRA had to offer.) Motorcycling could be fun! It was a way that my husband and I could share my "new found" love of riding behind him on his motorcycle, see the country, stopping at all Dairy Queens, and become involved with all GWRRA programs. I met the best "new family" that anyone could have.

We were working many 12-16 hour days and, except for going to church, our weekends were spent working also. We needed an "out" from all our work and something that we could do together. Joining the Gold Wing Road Riders Association and traveling on a Gold Wing gave us a sport where we could "slow down" and relax. We traveled from GWRRA event to GWRRA event on our Honda, which we have done for the past 18 years, traveling in almost all 50 states. We shared the GWRRA motto "Friends for Fun, Safety, and Knowledge with everyone we met. We loved recruiting new Members along the road and couldn't wait to get our first "five heart bar". We currently have recruited over 450 Members and are honored to be in the GWRRA Hall of Fame.

We have been Chapter Directors, District Directors, Region Directors, and Member Enhancement Coordinators. We are Road Captains and Grand Masters in the Safety levels program. We have received the GWRRA President's Award and The Ralph Swank Award (the most prestigious award in motorcycling in Iowa). We have also completed the Officer Certification Program and are a Certified Officer in GWRRA and have many other positions in the great organization of GWRRA. We have attended fifteen of the National Conventions (Wing Ding) since joining; and if you have never gone to one, be sure to attend this year's Wing Ding in Des Moines, Iowa! Iowa is where we live, and we love to show off "our" state!

Participating and being involved in GWRRA activities (which we could do together) has made a big difference in our lives. And, of course, we love our large GWRRA Family.

Every year, as part of our effort to help out the community and the Salvation Army, we take two weeks and ring the bell at Christmas. Well, this past year, even though the economy was down, our Chapter came in first place for recognition of service to the community for the Salvation Army Christmas effort raising the most funds for them here in Citrus County. Attached, you will find a photo of just part of our group being presented with our award from the Salvation Army.The lady, in the front row holding the Bell, is our Chapter Director, Rachel Harris.

GWRRA has changed my life in so many ways that it's hard to know where to start. But for the most part, it has taught me that no matter what happens, you always have someone who cares about you and will help in any way they can. Also, I had never been a part of a group or any kind of an organization before this, and it really is like having an extended family.

So, thank you Chapter T for always caring.

Letter to the Editor...

by Bob Brandt, Lexington, Illinois

I just read your front page on the GWRRA email I received, and it really struck home with me. Over the years, I too have been involved with functions (such as little league baseball, for one) where you are unappreciated and certain Members can do nothing but complain. Constructive criticism is a good thing, but whiners are not.

The reason I joined the GWRRA was that a friend of mine was a Chapter head (Illinois Chapter J which doesn't exist anymore) and offered me the use of his Gold Book the first time I tried to ride to Colorado on my old 1982 Wing, which I believe was in 2006. Well, as you can imagine, we broke down in Russell, Kansas and used the book to contact Darrell Zachmann who came to our rescue. Our contact with "Z" turned out to be wonderful, as he really treated us like old friends, and even loaned me his truck and trailer to take the Wing to a repair shop where we learned it was a head gasket which could not be repaired in the time we had available.

Long story short, this contact made my wife and I change our attitude about our situation and turned what could have been a disastrous trip into one which wasn't so bad after we rented a car and made arrangements to get the old Wing home later. As soon as I returned home, I joined GWRRA and will be a Member as long as I own a bike. By the way, I have contact even now with "Z" regularly, and we have become pretty good friends.

Anyway, I commend you all for the work you do and, although I am not a real active Member, I do appreciate the efforts of you folks to make this a good organization. If my local Chapter ever elects to start up again, I will attempt to attend your training (OCP), even if I never hold an office. I can see nothing but good coming of being educated.

It's always a long thought process that I go through when I'm reminded that it's time for a Newsletter article. As I have stated before, I'm thankful today that someone reminds me that it's time to start writing again.

As most of you know who might read this in the Region E Newsletter, I have been in law-enforcement for a long time, thirty-eight years this past April. As you can imagine, being a Cop is really different today than it was when I first started. Probably the most significant is the manner in which the crime is solved. You can look no further than your TV, then and now, to establish just what I mean. Dragnet, those fellows used up a lot of gas and shoe leather along with a few bright lights in the interrogation room.

Today, viewing CSI, you can believe that there might be more carpal tunnel, computer viruses and deoxyribonucleic acid. What is deoxyribonucleic acid you ask? Well, that's genetic characteristics or DNA, that thing that makes all of us work and continue to grow.

The DNA that was used the most in my past law years was Does Not Apply. DNA is something that we would use to fill in a block on the report that Did Not Apply. Yes, crime fighting has come a long way and today is better for it.

How in the world does this have anything to do with the Gold Wing Road Riders Association? Ah, the mind is a wondrous thing when allowed to wonder or wander depending on your point of view.

Since the first of the year, our Association has been introduced to the Officer Certification Program (OCP). This program is one of the genetic characteristics of GWRRA. Like deoxyribonucleic acid, it's always been there, but we have now put a name to it. Some Members, who have had the opportunity to spend a weekend and participate in the OCP, have stated that this is something that has been a long time needed. Well perhaps, but on the other hand the content of the OCP has always been there. It's been part of our genetic characteristics for a long time. We just have not thought of it in these new terms.

But the OCP is just one of our genes. Like us, it takes more than one gene to make something. GWRRA is made up of many genes, like Rider Education, the Couple of the Year, Membership Enhancement, Special Interest Groups, Leadership Training, Rallies, Operations, Regions, Districts, Chapters, and all of you - the Members. Without all of the parts, the characteristics would be different.

We can no longer say that Rider Education Does Not Apply. Nor can we say that the Couple of the Year Does Not Apply. Because without these parts and all of the other parts, it just would not be the same. We can, if you wish, take this one step further.

The most basic element of GWRRA is the Member and the Chapter. Without anyone of us in our respective Chapter, it just would not be the same. Each gene, working together to form that genetic ladder, makes the Chapter work and grow. There is not a part of deoxyribonucleic acid that does not apply.

And so, the point that I'm trying to make is that all things change and that change is usually good. But as much as they seem to change, they stay the same.

So, are YOU DNA or Do youNot Apply.

Member Comments & Feedback

"I agree with your new (OCP) program! I think too many CD's are not doing what they should to get and keep Members involved with GWRRA. GWRRA is a great organization! I have met many, many wonderful people with my membership in the organization."

Jon MundFargo,

North Dakota

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"My wife and I just took the OCP this weekend. It's a great program, and I'll be recommending it to everyone in our Chapter. We learned a lot from the program, things I never thought about. Everyone should go through this program."

Cecil & Pam Horton

ACD & District Couple

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Did You Know?

Check your GWRRA knowledge and see if you know the answers to these questions?

1-GWRRA held three Wing Dings in Colorado at two different locations (cities). Can you name the two locations and the three years?

2-Where do I find all the benefits I receive as a Member of GWRRA?

(Answers in coupon block below.)

"No Phone Zone"

GWRRA is pleased to be participating in the "No Phone Zone" Program as seen on the popular Oprah program. Whether you are a fan of Oprah or not, the idea of this program is to get as many GWRRA Members, as well as non-members, to sign the "No Phone Zone" pledge and stop the many deaths that are being attibuted to the distractions of talking or texting on a cell phone while driving.

The pledge merely states that you will not drive a vehicle while texting, and/or use a cell phone and/or that you will encourage others to not talk on a cell phone. Or, you will use a handsfree device while driving. It also states that if you must use a cell phone while driving you will safely pull over to the side of the road.

This Program is run under GWRRA's Rider Education Program, specifically the Motorist Awareness Program. Charles Mallett, MAP Director, oversees the Program and coordinates it through our Rider Educators, as well as all GWRRA's other Programs.

GWRRA's goal is to get 100,000 pledges signed. To date we have 877 pledge forms signed. Please check http://www.gwrra.org/nophonezone.html for the latest information and number of signed pledges. This Program will continue at Wing Ding 32 in Des Moines, Iowa. Please contact Charles at rideaware@yahoo.com to sign up to help get pledges at your events. The more events that have the pledges for our Members and guests to sign, the faster we can reach our goal and maybe be on Oprah representing GWRRA!

Help us get more pledges signed by taking pledges to your community events and having all your non-motorcycling friends sign up NOW!

Thank you!

High Mileage Contest

The High Mileage Contest was sent to us by Brian Roundtree from Woodstock, Georgia, and began April 1, 2010, and will run through October 31, 2010. It is just as it sounds. The Member who has driven the most number of miles in one month on his or her motorcycle or trike between these dates will be honored as the winner of the first GWRRA High Mileage Contest.

It is an honor program, meaning that you are taken at your word and you provide the mileage in the database. This database is a website that is accessed from GWRRA's Home Page at www.gwrra.org.

There you will find a link to list your name, Member number, and mileage driven for each month. The data will automatically update and put each rider in order of the highest mileage first, second, etc. The winner of the GWRRA High Mileage Contest will receive recognition on this website, GWRRA's Home Page, and in an article in Wingin' It, as well as a special certificate from the Home Office.

Some of the simple rules as mentioned previously are:

>Open to current GWRRA Members only

>Total miles driven must be given for your entries into the database

>Mileage is to be calculated on a single bike or trike and not cumulative from multiple vehicles (no commercial vehicles are allowed)

This contest is for the pure fun and enjoyment of riding. It has seen much success in other organizations, so let's have fun with it and, remember, we are all on the honor system.

Rescue Plus

Remember to sign up for Rescue PLUS! It will add more miles and more vehicles to your standard FREE Rescue towing package from GWRRA. PLUS, it only costs $25 per year to upgrade the entire family!! Sign up now by calling 800-843-9460.

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And remember, non-members can purchase Rescue Plus for $50 with the same benefits.